IOA backs embattled Kalmadi

February 13, 2011 18:30 IST

Sacked as Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief, the embattled Suresh Kalmadi got the full backing of the Indian Olympic Association, the national apex sports body which he heads, in its General Body Meeting (GBM) in New Delhi.

The IOA GBM, which was attended by representatives of National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations, appreciated the hard work put in by Kalmadi's team in "successfully" hosting the CWG.

"The GBM unanimously expressed full confidence in its (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi, MP. The House appreciates the hard work by the team in not only successfully bidding to get the Games to India for the first time but also conducting it in such a manner the international community, especially the athletes, went away a satisfied lot," an IOA statement said.

"The meeting noted there had been international acclaim for the conduct of the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi and applauded the Indian athletes for their performance both in Delhi and in the Asian Games in Guangzhou," it said.

The GBM, held in New Delhi on Saturday, amended the IOA constitution but stopped short of complying fully to the International Olympic Committee's directives issued last year as good governance and transparency measures.

"IOA also amended its constitution in keeping with the IOC's suggestions to ensure good governance, transparency, and to include Athlete Commission, Arbitration Commission and Ethics Commission in its framework.

"The IOA also unanimously decided to form a delegation to meet the new Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Ajay Maken and have an in depth dialogue with him about the Government guidelines," it said.

The IOA did not scrap the voting rights which the State Olympic Associations used to get in the elections of the apex sports body of the country, as has been directed by the IOC in August last.

"It also decided that each National Sports Federation would have two votes and every State Olympic Association one vote in the election process," the statement said.

The IOA also recognised "a surge among the youth of the nation towards Olympic sport in the wake of India's successes in the Commonwealth and Asian Games"

"It noted that with more than 10,000 athletes and teams officials taking part the 34th National Games in Jharkhand is the biggest so far," the IOA said.